Appointed/Elected:

Appointed April 7, 2008. Elected in 2010, 2016 and 2022. Current term expires December 31, 2028.

Education:

J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 1986

B.A., University of Minnesota, 1983

Employment:

Private Practice, Tamara G. Garcia, P.A., 2000-2008

Hearing Examiner (Judge), AMERIND Risk Management Corporation, 2007-2008

Director-Board of Directors, State Fund Mutual Insurance Company, 2000-2008

Hearing Examiner (Judge), Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community, 1995-2008

Partner/Associate, Pustorino, Pederson, Tilton & Parrington, P.L.L.P., 1989-2000

Staff Attorney, Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, 1987-1989

Professional Memberships:

Minnesota District Judges Association, 2008-Present

American Judges Association, 2008-Present

Minnesota State Bar Association, 1987-Present – Board of Governors 2000-2001

Hennepin County Bar Association, 1987-Present; Workers’ Compensation Section; Diversity Law Section (Chair – Awards Subcommittee, 1994-1996, 1998); Appointed to the Hennepin County Bar Association Nominating Committee, 1996-1999; Appointed as an Investigator, Fourth District Ethics Committee, 1997-2000

Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, 1994-Present

Minnesota Women Lawyers, 1994-Present (co-Chair – Community Relations Subcommittee, 1995-1996)

Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 1989-2000

Minnesota Minority Corporate Counsel Program, 1996-2000

Minnesota Self-Insurers Association, 1998-2000

Professional and Community Activities:

Volunteer, Everybody Wins Reading Program

Member, Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiatives Steering Committee (Chair – RAI Subcommittee, 2009-Present)

Board Member, State of Minnesota Gambling Control Board, 2004-2008

Member, University of Minnesota “M” Club

Member, University of Minnesota Alumni Association

Alumna, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority

Assignment History:

Criminal, 6/29/12 - Present

Juvenile Court, 3/09-6/28/12

Criminal, 2/08-2/09